Automatic side-tracking sectionalizer for electric transmission systems.



F. G. HIRDLBR.

AUTOMATIC SIDE TRACKING SEGTIONALIZBR FOR ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 13, 1910.

1,030,181 Patented June 18, 1912.

I 2 SHEBTS-SHEBT 1-.

WITN fifllliirdler;

ATTO R N EY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, u. c

I INVENTOR F. G. HIRDLER.

AUTOMATIC SIDE TRAOKING SEGTIONALIZER FOR ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED 1930.13, 1910.

1,080,181, Patented June 18, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR,

I F. Offlirdler, WITN ES (Q BY ,d wmmr coLuAmlA PLANOGIMPH co,WASHINGTON. n c,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FAIRBANKS C. HIRDLER, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA.

AUTOMATIC SIDE-TRACKING SECTIONALIZER FOR ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FAIRBANKS C. Him)- LER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Oklahoma, in the county of Oklahoma and State ofOklahoma, have invented a new and useful Automatic Side-TrackingSectionalizer for Electric Transmission Systems, of which the followingis a specificatio-n.

This invention has reference to an automatic side tracking sectionalizerfor electric transmission systems, and its object is to preserve theelectrical continuity of a transmission system despite the establishmentof conditions tending to render the system inoperative for thetransmission of electrical energy, as, for instance, one or more of thetransmission sections is broken at any point, or a short circuit arisesor some other condition is present which in ordinary electric t'ansmission systems renders the system inoperative.

In some long distance transmission lines, the system must of necessitytraverse regions where there is liability of interference, usu ally fromnatural causes, with the proper working of the system, it frequentlytranspiring that one or more of the mains is broken by a falling tree orthe supports of one or more of the mains are overturned or displaced insuch manner as to break or ground such main, or one or more shortcircuits may be established during storms, or at times, by the fallingof tree branches across the mains, or electrical storms may establishconditions which will put the main conductors out of service or otherconditions may arise which will interrupt either temporarily orpermanently the transmission of electrical energy from the source to thepoint of utilization.

The present invention is designed to establish a path for the powercurrent around any fault which may occur in the main transmission line,so that there is no interruption in the service whatever because of thefault, and if such fault be of a temporary nature, the main line circuitis automatically reestablished.

In long transmission lines, the faults usually occur in limited zones.For instance, there may be a stretch of some miles where the system isparticularly liable to injury from lightning discharges. There may occuranother zone where storms are frequent and Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed December 13, 1910.

Patented June 18, 1912. Serial No. 597,107.

breaks or short circuits may occur because of such storms. lVhatever bethe conditions giving rise to faults interfering with the transmissionof the current they may be readily overcome by the installation of thepresent invention in those portions of the transmission system liable tosuch faults, it usually transpiring that such conditions do not prevailthroughout the entire length of the system.

The present invention while useful in connection with transmissionsystems where the system covers a comparatively limited territory, ismore particularly useful in conneetion with such long distance systemsas are necessary for the utilization of the energy of water powers, forin such case the natural conditions often make it necessary to establishthe power station many miles dis tant from the point of utilization andin many instances the intervening country is such that interruptions inthe service are liable to occur unless the transmission system is of anature which cannot. be interrupted for an appreciable length of time.In the present invention this is brought about by utilizing theelectrical conditions established to cause the operation of meanswhereby the power current is side tracked or shunted around the fault inthe main transmission line, so that the electrical continuity of thesystem as a whole remains practically constant, and there nointerruption in service even though considerable sections of the mainsystem be rendered inoperative even to the extent of total destruction.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing de tailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with theunderstanding, however, that while the particular system disclosed is apractical system, the. invention is not limited to the exact arrangementshown, but is susceptible to various changes or modifications so long asthe salient features of the invention are retained.

In the drawings :F igure 1 is a, diagram showing the application of theinvention to a transmission line, itbeing assumed that the conditionsare normal. F 2 is a diagram coextensive with a portion of the diagramof Fig. 1, but showing a step in the progressive action of theprotective system.

Fig. 3 is a diagram similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing theconditions prevalent when a fault has occurred in the main transmissionline where protected by the invention.

For convenience of description and illustration it will be assumed thatthe invention is applied to a high pressure single phase alternatingcurrent transmission system,but the invention is equally applicable to apolyphase system or .to a direct current. tI'RIISHHSSIOD system forwhere in the alternating current systems transformers are used, the sameresult may be obtained in direct current systems by the use ofappropriate resistances.

In Fig. 1 there are shown two main line conductors 1, 2 at the left handside of said figure, which conductors may be assumed as coming fromasuitable source of electrical energy, such as a power station, and atthe right hand side of Fig. 1 there are shown other main line conductors3, 4 like the con ductors 1, 2, and these last named conductors may beassumed as proceeding toward the point of utilization, and it may befurther assumed that the intervening space between the conductors 1, 2and the conductors 3, 4 includes a zone where interrupt-ions 01":

the services from various causes are liable.

The mam or normal transmission line through this Zone of probable faultsmay be in one, two or more sections, and in the par-- ticular zone ofFig. 1 three sections are indicated, the first section being designatedAB, the second section being designated CD, and the third section EF.Section AB includes conductors 56, the section C D includes conductors7--8, and the section EF includes conductors 9-10=, all of theseconductors being normally connected in series with the conductors 1-2and 34 to constitute the main transmission lines, and so long as normalconditions prevail, the current traverses these conductors.

The conductor 1 is connected to a terminal 11, and the conductor 2 isconnected to a terminal 12. These terminals may be in the form ofbrushes. At one end the conductor 5 is connected to a brush or terminal13 adjacent the brush 11, and at the other end the conductor 5 isconnected to a brush 14. The conductor 6 is connected at one end to abrush 15 adjacent the brush 12, and at the other end to a brush 16. Theconductor 7 is connected at one end to a brush 17, and at the other endto a brush 18. The conductor 8 is connected at one end to a brush 19 andat the other end to abrush 20. Adjacent the brush 16 is a brush 21 whichis connected by a conductor 22 to another brush 23 adjacent the brush19, while a brush 24 adjacent the brush 14 is connected by a conductor25 to a brush 26 adjacent the brush 17.

The conductor 9 is connected at one end to a brush 27 and at the otherend to a brush 28. The conductor 10 is connected at one end to a brush29 and at the other end to a brush 30. Adjacent the brush 20 is anotherbrush 31 connected by a conductor 32 to a brush 33 adjacent the brush29', while the brush 34 adjacent the brush 18 is connected by aconductor 35 to a brush 36 adjacent the brush 27. The conductor 3 isconnected to a brush 37 adjacent the brush 28, and the conductor 4 isconnected to a brush 38 adjacent the brush 30.

The brushes 11 and 13 are normally coupled together by a contact plate39, and the brushes 12 and 15 are normally coupled together by, acontact plate 40. The brushes 16 and 21 are normally coupled together bya contact plate 41, and the brushes 14 and 24 are normally coupledtogether by a contact plate 42, the contact plates 39 and 40, and 41 and42 being included in the section A B, and each section CD and EF isprovided with like contact plates.

In the position of the parts shown in 'Fig. 1, the conductor 1 isconnected through the terminal brush 11 to the plate 39, and this plateis coupled to the conductor 5 by the brush 13. The conductor 5 isconnected by its brush through the plate 42 to the brush 24, and by wayof the conductor 25, brush 26, contact plate 39 of section CD to thebrush 17, thence to conductor 7, which latter is coupled to theconductor 9 by way of the brushes 18, 34, contact plate 42, conductor35, brush 36, contact plate 39, and brush 27, while the said conductor 9is coupled by the brushes 28 and 37 and the intervening contact plate 42to the main line conductor 3. In like manner the circuit from main lineconductor 2 to main line conductor 4 may be traced by way of the brush12, plate 40, brush 15, conductor 6, brush 16, plate 41, brush 21,conductor 22,

brush 23, plate 40, brush 19, conductor 8,

brush 20, plate 41, brush 31, conductor 32, brush 33, plate 40, brush29, conductor 10, brush 30, plate 41-, and brush 38 to the conductor 4.There is thus a continuous circuitestablished through the protected Zoneand in order that this circuit may be readily traced, the conductorsembraced therein have been shown by comparatively heavy lines, but theheavy lines in the figures have in themselves no significance.

In the path of the plate 39 are brushes or contacts 4344, respectively,so displaced that the plate 39 in moving toward these contacts orbrushes will engage the contact or brush 43 before engaging the brush44. In like manner there is in the path of the plate 40 similarlydisplaced brushes 4546. In the path of the plate 41 is a single brush47, and in the path of the plate 42 is a single brush 48, these severalbrushes 43 to 48 being included in the section AB, and

similar brushes in similar relation to the contact plates are providedin each of the other sections CD and E-F, respectively.

Connected across the conductors 5 and 6 of the section A-B at the lefthand end of such section as viewed in Fig. 1, is the winding 49 of atransformer 50, and the windings 49 of like transformers 50 areconnected across the like ends of the conductors 78 of section CD andthe conductors 910 of section EF.

Since the parts now to be described are individual to each section andare identical in the several sections, the following de scription unlessotherwise specified is limited to section AB, with the understandingthat like parts occur in sections C-D and EF.

Branched off from an intermediate portion of the winding 6L9 is aconductor 51 leading to a ground 52. The transformer 50 has a winding53, one terminal of which is connected to a conductor 54 and the otherterminal of which is connected to a conductor 55. The conductor 5% leadsto the winding of a solenoid 56 and is continued by way of a conductor57 to a contact terminal 58 normally coupled by a bridge bar 59 toanother contactterminal GO. The bridging bar 59 is carried by a core 61acted upon by the solenoid 56 and connected to this core is a stem 62carrying a piston 63 housed in a dash pot casing 64:.

The end of the solenoid coil 56 remote from that connected to theconductor 54 is connectedby a conductor 65 to the adjust-- able member66 of an adjustable resistance 67, which in turn is connected to one endof the winding 68 of a transformer 69, the other terminal of the winding68 being con nected to the conductor The other winding 70 of thetransformer 69 is connected on one side to the brush 13 and on the otherside to the brush 45, while at an intermediate point this winding isconnected by a conductor 71 to the ground 52.

The contact terminal 60 is connected by aconductor 71 to the movableelement 72 of an adjustable resistance 73, which latter is connected toone terminal of a solenoid winding 74, the other terminal of which isconnected by a conductor 75 to the conductor The solenoid winding 7%controls a core 7 6 connected by a bar 77 of insulating material to thecontact plates 39 and 40, so that these plates are moved by the core 7 6as controlled by the solenoid 74. The core 76 is provided with a stem 78terminating in a piston 79 within a dash pot casing 80.

The brush 44 is connected by a conductor 81 to the brush as and thebrush etG is connected by a conductor 82 to the brush 47. The conductors81 and 82 are, as will hereinafter appear, designed to carry the powercurrent when the conductors 5 and 6 are out of service for any reason,and while these conductors S1 and 82 are shown in the drawings bycomparatively fine lines, the fine ness of the lines are fordifferentiating purposes only, and have no other significance. Theconductors 81 and 82 are coextensive with the conductors 5 and G andconstitute an auxiliary section designated as a?). Similar auxiliarysections 0(Z' and cf are provided for the main sections CD and EF.

Coupled across the conductors 5 and 6 near the ends thereof remote fromthe transformer 50 is the winding 88 of a transformer Set having itsother winding 85 connected by respective conductors 86-87 to theopposite ends of the solenoid coil 88, which coil controls a core 89carrying the contact plates 41 and 12 at the ends of a bar 90 ofinsulating material. The core 89 is provided with a stem 91 having apiston 92 at its end housed within a dash pot cas ing 93. t will beunderstood that the bars 77 and 90 of insulating material may be ofother material so long as the plates carried thereby are insulated onefrom the other Let it be assumed that the voltage of the transmissionline is V volts, and that the apparatus forming the subject-matter ofthe present invention is .so set that should this voltage drop at anypoint on the line to V-w volts (where w may equal any value from V downto say ten per cent. of V), this section in which this drop of voltageoccurs will be automatically cutout and the corresponding auxiliarysection will be cut in.

Assume that there are V volts upon the line, this representing workingconditions, under these circumstances the transformer 50 is traversed byV volts so that the current generated in the winding 53 of thistransformer has a corresponding pressure. The winding 50 is connected bythe conductor 55 to the conductor 7 5, so that current generated in thiswinding passes through the coil 74, thence through the resistance 73 tothe conductor 71, thence to the contact (30, bridge bar 59, contact 58,conductor 57 and conductor S t back to the coil The solenoid coil 74being energized, the core 76 is drawn thereinto and the contact plates39 and .0 are held away from the respective brushes -il-344:4e5 and 46,and in bridging relation to the brushes 1113 and 1215. In like mannerthe winding 83 of the transformer 84 is traversed by V volts and thecoil 68 is energized to maintain the plates 41 and 1-2 out of contactwith the brushes 47 and 4S and in bridging relation to the brushes 1621and 1412t, respectively. There is likewise established a circuit fromthe winding by way of the conductor to the winding 68 of the transformer69 through the resistance 67 and solenoid winding 56,

returning through the conductor 54, but the resistance of this circuitis so related to the circuit including the winding 74 that insuflicientcurrent traverses the solenoid winding 56 to move the core 61 to carrythe bridging bar 59 away from the contacts 58 and 60. This samecondition prevails in all of the sections A B, CD and E-F andconsequently the continuity of the circuit through the conductors 1-2,5-6, 78, 910 and 3-4 is maintained, and will be maintained so long as Vvolts prevail upon such circuit. The normal working condition of thesystem as just described is shown in Fig. 1.

Let it be assumed that in section AB some condition arises which willcause a drop of voltage until it reaches V90, as, for instance, a shortcircuit caused by the bric ging of the conductors AB by some conductingsubstance indicated at S, Fig. 2. A like drop in voltage, therefore,occurs in the winding 49 of the transformer 50 and to a proportionateextent in the winding 53' thereof, considering the transformer 50 a stepdown transformer in the particular system shown. This will cause a dropin cur rent in the circuit which may be traced from the winding 53 byconductor 75 through the winding of the solenoid 74, thence by theresistance 73, contact 7 2, conductor 71, contact 60, bridging bar 59,contact 58, conductor 57 and conductor 54 back to the coil 53, so thatthe solenoid 74 is no longer sufficiently energized to maintain the core76 in the position shown in Fig. 1 and accordingly the core 76 will movein a direction to carry the contact plates 39 and 40 into engagement '7with the brushes or terminals 43 and 45, re-

spectively. The initial movement of the core 7 6 is slow because of theeffect of the dash pot80 and the brushes 13 and 15 may be considered asstill connected to the plates 7 39 and 40, so that the condition assumedis that shown in Fig. 2. mains unaffected during the operation justdescribed. The further movement of the core 76 is not retarded by thedash pot and consequently the plates 39 and 40 are quickly brought intoengagement with the brushes 44 and 46, respectively, and immediatelythereafter break contact with the brushes 13 and 15, respectively, thebreak being rapid. The faulty section A.B is thus cut out and theperfect auxiliary section ab is cut in. Now, the full normal voltage isimpressed on the transformer 69 and a commensurate voltage will be setup in the winding 68 of this transformer and in a closed circuittherefrom which may be traced as follows :from the coil 68 by theresistance 67, contact 66, conductor 65, solenoid winding 56, conductor54, winding 53, and conductor 55 back to the winding 68. This circuitincludes the winding 53 of the transformer 50,

The solenoid 56 re and the other winding 49 of this transformer is shortcircuited by the assumed short circuit S across the conductors 5 and 6.There is, therefore, a heavy demandnpon the circuit now fed by thetransformer winding 68,-

and this heavy current will pass through the winding 56 and is etlicientto cause this solenoid to attract its core 61 quickly and thereby breakthe main centralizing switch solenoid circuit at the contacts 58 and 60,this condition of the circuit being shown in Fig. 3. The cutting out ofthe solenoid 74'persists so long as the short circuit S persists.

The solenoid 88 being deprived of effective current by the short circuitS cutting out the transformer 84, has in the meantime acted in the samemanner as the solenoid 74, moving slowly at first, and then quickly, sothat the plates 41 and 42 move into engagement'with the brushes 47 and48, respectively, just prior to breaking contact with the brushes 14 and16. The same result occurs if either conductor 5 or 6 be grounded, theonly difference being that in such case one-half the winding 49 is shortcircuited instead of the entire winding.

Let it be now assumed that the short circuit or ground which hasoccurred in the section AB be either naturally or artificially removed,so that normal conditions in the main line section are restored so faras its capability of transmission is concerned. 1n the condition of thecircuit shown in Fig. 3 the main line section is cut out and theauxiliary section is being employed for the transmission of power. Theshort circuit or ground having been removed, the transformer winding 49is open except for the small load due to the trans former 84 at theother end of the section. Now, the winding 53 will only draw magnetizingcurrent for the energization of the transformer 50, and as this currentpasses through the solenoid 56 and because of its feeble character isinsuflicient to energize the solenoid 56 actively, the core 61 will nolonger be attracted and the bar 59 will move into bridging relation tothe contacts 58 and 60. There is now established a closed circuit whichmay be traced from the contact 58, to the conductor 57, thence throughthe winding 56, thence through the conductor 65, thence through thecontact 66 and resistance 67 to and through the winding 68, thence bythe conductor 55 to the conductor 75, thence through the solenoid 74,thence through the resistance 73 and contact 72, thence by way of theconductor 71 back to the contact 60 connected to the contact 58 by thebridging bar 59. Now, the winding 68 of the transformer 69 is supplyingcurrent to the solenoid 74 the same as the winding 53 of the transformer50 did under normal conditions, and, therefore, the armature 76 will beattracted moving quickly until it connects the plates 39 and 40 with thebrushes 13 and 15, respectively, without as yet disconnecting theseplates from the brushes 4 1 and 46, the normal voltage being therebyimpressed upon the main line section A-B. This will cause theenergization of the transformer 84: and the feeding of the solenoid 88with suflicient current to render it active, so that the plates ll and42 are brought into engagement with the brushes 16 and 14:,respectively. The active movement of the armatures or cores of the twosolenoids continues until the auxiliary section is cut out and the mainline section is restored to service. It is to be observed that the mainline section is entirely out in before the auxiliary section is cut out,so that there is no interruption of the service when the main linesection is cut in after it has been once cut out. The same operationstake place in the sections CD or E-F if like faulty conditions should beestablished therein and such faulty conditions may occur in all thesections without interruption of the service, since the current will bediverted from the normal path through the auxiliary sections a-b, 0-(Z,e; as occasion requires. Of course, the various brushes or circuitterminals where the circuit is made or broken are, in high tensiontransmission systems, immersed in oil, as is the usual practice.

Again, let it he assumed that the main line section AB was onlytemporarily out out of service, as, for instance, when there occurs anelectrical surge due, say, to a lightning stroke which would cause aflash over an insulator on the main line section A-B, such flash-overbeing followed up by a heavy power-arc causing a drop in voltagesufficient to actuate the automatic sectionalizer switches which,however, operate in time to cut out the main line section A-B before theinsulator is damaged to a degree to permanently ground the line. Undersuch circumstances the main line section will be again out in, on thebreaking of the arc, in the manner already described.

The solenoid 56 will not respond to current caused by impressing V voltsupon the main line section to which the solenoid belongs, but willrespond if the voltage upon the main line be sufliciently higher than Vvolts. If, now, an abnormal rise in the voltage occurs in the main line,the coil 56 will be sufliciently energized to move the bridge bar 59 outof engagement with the contacts 58 and 60, thus causing a deenergizationof the coil 74 and the cutting out of the section AB as before. Bymaking the necessary rise in voltage to sufficiently energize the coil56 comparatively low, the system becomes protective to the apparatus orin the installation as a wholeto the in sulators, the transmissionwires, cable insulation, conduits, or the like, although the smaller therise in voltage necessary to operate the cut out devices, the moredelicate they must be, and consequently more expensive. The primarypurpose of the invention is to insure the continuity of service. Theprotective feature is of a secondary nature. The invention is notdesigned to prevent the occurrence of accidents, but to preventaccidents from interrupting the con tinuity of the power applied.

The invention is applicable to transmission lines of any and all kinds,whether high or low voltage, alternating current systems of the singleor polyphase type, or high or low voltage direct current systems, itonly being necessary to substitute appropriate resistances in place ofthe transformers when direct currents are employed instead ofalternating currents. lVhile for simplicity of illustration the drawingsshow the power as applied from one end, it is, of course, evident thatthe power may be tapped off or cut into the system atany point which isnot on a circuit liable to be cut out. Furthermore, the protectingsections may be long or the apparatus may be duplicated in one or moreor all of the sections, so that under some circumstances where there isdanger of accidents occurring in the auxiliary sections, such sectionsmay, in turn, be protected by additional or subauxiliary sections. herethe danger of accidents is small, the sections may be quite long, butwhere the danger of accident is greater, the number of sections may beincreased by shortening their length, and subauxiliary sections may beinstalled. All these matters depend upon the conditions to be met and nogeneral arrangement can be shown adapted to all the conditions ofinstallation.

The dash pots prevent the operation of the switches from variations inthe voltage of the line of sudden and temporary character, such as areliable to occur in the normal operation of the system, and it is onlysuch conditions as will cause a sutliciently prolonged interruption topermit the sluggish movement of the switches to an extent to cut out thesection wherein the accident occurs that will cause the system of thepresent invention to become efi'ective.

What is claimed 1. In a system of electrical distribution. main linesections, means at each end of each main line section for coupling thesections in series to normally maintain the electrical continuity of thesystem, said means being active on the maintenance of the normal voltagein the system, companion auxiliary sections individual to the mainsections, and means responsive to abnormal voltage conditions in thesystem for causing the coupling means for the sections to include anauxiliary section to the total electrical exclusion of its companionmain line section.

2. In a system of electrical distribution, a. main line sectionalized atpredetermined points, auxiliary sections individual to the main linesections, means at each end of each main line section responsive to thenormal voltage of the line for maintaining the main line sections in theline and operable to include corresponding auxiliary sec tions in theline, and means responsive to abnormal changes in the main line voltagefor causing the operation of the first named means to totallyelectrically exclude main line sections from the line and includecompanion auxiliary sections in said main line.

8. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections, auxiliarysections inclividual to the main line sections, switches in each mainline section at the ends thereof and having electric means maintainedactive to include the respective main line sections in the power circuitby the maintenance of the normal voltage of the line, and anotherswitchfor each section inactive to normal conditions on the main lineand responsive to abnormal voltage conditions to cut out the electricmeans of one of the first named switches of the respective section.

4. In a system of electrical distribution, line conductors in sections,switches for coupling the line conductors together to establish thecontinuity of the system, electric means for actuating the switches tomaintain the continuity of the conductors, each switch being responsiveto current due to the maintenance of a predetermined volt-age upon theline conductors, an auxiliary sec tion of line conductors for each ofthe first named sections and individual thereto, and means for causing aswitch to exclude a main section and couple into the system an auxiliarysection on an abnormal sustained change of voltage in the first namedsection.

5. In a system of electrical distribution, a sectionalized main line,auxiliary sections individual to the main line sections, means formaintaining the continuity of the section through the main line sectionsunder normal conditions, and means for excluding a main line section andincluding a com panion auxiliary section on a maintained abnormal changein the electrical conditions on the line, the auxiliary section beingincluded in the line prior to the exclusion of the companion main linesection.

6. In a system of electrical distribution, a sectionalized mainline, aswitch in each section for normally maintaining the electricalcontinuity of the main line intact through the section controlled bysaid switch, means responsive to predetermined voltage conditions in themain line section for main taining the switch in the circuit closingposition with respect to its section, an auxiliary line section for eachmain line section, and means responsive to abnormal changes in thevoltage conditions of the main line section for causing the switch tooperate to couple in the auxiliary section and exclude the companionmain line section.

7. In a system of electrical distribution, a sectionalized main line, aswitch in each section for normally maintaining the electricalcontinuity of the main line intact through the section controlled bysaid switch, means responsive to predetermined voltage conditions in themain line section for maintaining the switch in the circuit closingposition with respect to its section, an auxiliary line section for eachmain line section, and means responsive to abnormal changes in the voltage conditions of the main line section for causing the switch tooperate to couple in the auxiliary section and exclude the companionmain line section, the switch being related to the two sections tocouple the auxiliary section into the circuit prior to the exclusion ofthe main line section controlled by said switch.

8. In a system of electrical distribution, a sectionalized main line,auxiliary sections individual to the main line sections, a switch formaintaining the main line sections in circuit during the prevalence ofnormal conditions, such switch being provided with aholding coilresponsive to predetermined voltage conditions on the main line and saidswitch movable to cut in the auxiliary section and exclude the mainsection on the establishment of abnormal voltage conditions on the mainline, and means responsive to abnormal conditions in the main linesection for cutting out the switch holding coil from the circuit on theestablishment of such conditions.

9. In a system of electrical distribution, sectionalized main lineconductors, auxiliary conductor sections individual to and c0 extensivewith the main sections, sluggish switches for completing the circuitthrough the main sections and provided with holding coils responsive tonormal conditions on the main line to maintain the circuit through suchmain sections, said holding coils of the switches being responsive toabnormal conditions on the main line to include the auxiliary sectionstherein and exclude the main sections, and sluggish means for eachsection responsive to abnormal electrical con ditions on the line andcontrolling the switches controlling the main and auxiliary sections bycutting out said holding coils on the establishing of abnormalelectrical conditions on the line.

10. In a system of electrical distribution. a sectionalized main line,auxiliary sections individual 'to and coextensive with the mainsections, switches for establishing the circuit through the mainsections or the auxiliary sections, said switches having a normaltendency to close the circuit to the auxiliary sections, and electricalmeans for actuating the switches at each end of each section inopposition to their normal tendency to close the circuit through themain sections, said electrical means being active to normal electricalconditions in the system.

11. In a system of electrical distribution, main and auxiliaryconductors, a switch for coupling the main or auxiliary conductors inthe circuit to maintain the continuity thereof, said switch having anormal tendency to close the circuit through the auxiliary conductors,means responsive to normal electrical conditions on the line for holdingthe switch in position to close the line through the main conductors,and means responsive to abnormal conditions established in the sectiondefined by the main conductors of the section to cut out the switchholding means on the production of abnormal conditions in the main linesection.

12. in an electrical system of distribution, a main line section ofconductors, an auxiliary section of conductors individual to the mainline section and coextensive therewith, the main section and auxiliarysection having adjacent circuit-terminals, a switch at each end of andcommon to the circuit terminals of each main line and companionauxiliary sections for coupling a power circuit to the terminals ofeither the main sec tion or the auxiliary section and having an extentor range of movement suflicient to couple either and both the mainsection and the auxiliary section to the power line, and meansresponsive to electrical conditions in the main section for maintainingthe same in the main circuit or for establishing the power circuitthrough the auxiliary section to the exclusion of the main section.

13. in a system of electrical distribution, a power circuit, a mainsection of conductors, an auxiliary section of conductors individualthereto, a switch'at each end of and common to each main line andcompanion auxiliary sections for coupling the main sec tion or theauxiliary section into the power circuit to maintain the continuitythereof, and an electric circuit bridged across the main circuit andprovided with means for operating the switches, said bridging circuitresponding to normal electrical conditions on the line to actuate theswitches to then maintain the main section in circuit to the exclusionof the auxiliary section, the switches having a normal tendency toinclude the auxiliary conductors in the power circuit.

1%. In an electrical system of distribution, a power circuit, sectionalconductors adapted to be included in and form part of the power circuit,other sectional conductors constituting auxiliary sections adapted to beincluded in the power circuit in lieu ot' the first named or mainsections, a switch for each end of each main section having a normaltendency to close the power circuit on to the corresponding auxiliarysection, electrical means for actuating the switches to close thecircuit through the main section on the establishment of normalconditions in said main section, and electrically operated means forcontrolling the electrical means actuating the switches, said last namedelectrical means being controlled by one of the switches.

15. In an electrical system of distribution, a power circuit, sectionalconductors adapted to be included in and form part of the power circuit.other sectional conductors constituting auxiliary sections adapted to beincluded in the power circuit in lieu of the first named or mainsections, a switch for each end of each main section having a normaltendency to close the power circuit on to the corresponding auxiliarysection, grounded electrical means for actuating the switches to closethe circuit through the main section on the establishment ot normalconditions in said main section, and electrically operated means forcontrolling the electrical means actuating the switches, said last namedelectrical means being controlled by one of the switches and having aground connection.

16. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main line sections, meansactive on the maintenance oi the normal voltage in the system forcoupling said main sections in series to normally maintainthe continuityof the system and operating on the establishment of abnormal conditionsto replace the main sections by the companion auxiliary sections, andnormally inactive means responsive to abnormal voltage conditions in thesystem to maintain the first named means inactive during the prevalenceof such abnormal conditions.

17. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main sections, meansadjacent each end of each main line section tor coupling the saidsections in series to normally maintain the continuity of the system,said means being active on the maintenance of the normal voltage in thesystem, and means responsive to abnormal voltage conditions in thesystem for including an auxiliary section to the exclusion of itscompanion main line section.

18. In a system of electrical distribution, a main line section, acompanion auxiliary section individual to the main line section, aswitch for cutting out the main line section and cutting in theauxiliary section in place thereof, electro-magnetic means fed by themain line section for normally maintaining the switch in position tocouple-the main line sectionin the circuit, and a normally inactivecircuit controlling means in the circuit of the said electro-magneticmeans, said circuit controller being inactive to normal voltageconditions in the system and responsive to abnormal voltage conditionsto break the circuit through the said electro-magnetic switchcontrolling means.

19. In a system of electrical distribution,

a main line section, a companion auxiliary section individual to themain line section, a switch movable to include either the main sectionor the auxiliary section in the system, electromagnetic means controlledby the main line section for maintaining the switch in position toelectrically couple the main line section in the system. during theprevalence of normal voltage conditions, a normally inactive switchestablishing the continuity of the circuit of the electromagnetic meanscontrolled by the main line, and means controlled by the first namedswitch for rendering the second named switch active to break thecontinuity of the circuit of the electro-magnetic switch controllingmeans on the establishment of predetermined abnormal voltage conditions.

20. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main line sections,switches for electrically cutting in and out the main line sections witha corresponding cutting out and in of the companion auxiliary sections,electro-magnetic means for maintaining each switch in position toelectrically include the corresponding main line section in the system,inductive means coupled to the corresponding main line section andnormally feeding the electro-magnetic switch operating means, a normallyinactive switch in the circuit of the first named switch operatingmeans, electromagnetic means for operating the second switch included inthe circuit of the inductive means fed by the main line section, andinductive means for impressing current on the circuit of theelectro-magnetic operating means of the second switch having meanscontrolled by the first named switch for coupling the power circuitthereto.

21. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main line sections, atransformer having one coil branched across a. main line section, aswitch con trolling the terminals of the main line section for couplingit to the terminals of'a power circuit, electromagnetic means fornormally maintaining the switch in position to couple the main linesection to the power circuit, said electromagnetic means being incircuit with the other coil of the transformer, another switch normallymaintaining the continuity of the c'rcuit of the electro-n agnetic meanscontrolling the first named switch, electro-magnetic means for operatingthe second named switch to break the continuity of the circuit of theelectromagnetic means controlling the first named switch, and atransformer having one winding in circuit with the electromagneticoperating means of the second switch, and the other coil provided withterminals in the path of the first named switch on its movement in thedirection to cutout the main line section controlled thereby.

22. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sec tions individual to the main line sections, atransformer having one coil branched across a main line section, aswitch controlling the terminals of the main line section for couplingit to the terminals of a power circuit, electro-magnetic means fornormally maintaining the switch in position to couple the main linesection to the power circuit, said electro-magnetic means being incircuit with the other coil of the transformer, another switch normallymaintaining the continuity of the circuit of the electro-magnetic meanscontrolling the first named switch, electromagnetic means for operatingthe second named switch to break the continuity of the circuit of theelectro-magnetic means controlling the first named switch, and atransformer having one winding in circuit with the electromagnetic meansof the second switch and the other coil provided with terminals in thepath of the first named switch on its movement in the direction to cutout the main line section controlled thereby, the first named coil ofthe first named transformer and the second named coil of the secondnamed transformer being intcrmediately connected together and togroui'ld.

23. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sec tions individual to the main sections, a switchfor coupling each main line section electrically in the system,operating means for the switch responsive to normal voltage conditionsto maintain the continuity of the system through the main line section,circuit terminals in each auxiliary section in the path of the switchcontrolling the companion main line section, means responsive toabnormal circuit conditions for cut-ting out the operating means formaintaining the switches in position to close the circuit on to the mainline sections, and electromagnetic means for controlling the cut-outmeans having circuit terminals in the path of the switch for engagementthereby prior to the coupling of the auxiliary section in the circuit.

24. In a system of electrical distribution,

main line sections, companion auxiliary sections individual to the mainsections, a switch for coupling each main line section electrically inthe system, operating means for the switch responsive to normal voltageconditions to maintain the continuity of the system through the mainline section, circuit terminals for each auxiliary section in the pathof the switch controlling the com panion main line section, meansresponsive to abnormal circuit conditions for cutting out the operatingmeans for maintaining the switches in position to close the circuit onto the main line sections, and electro-magnetic means for controllingthe cut-out means having circuit terminals in the path of the switch forengagement thereby prior to the coupling of the auxiliary section in thecircuit, said switches maintaining the auxiliary section and theelectromagnetic controlling means for the cut-out means in the powercircuit during the prevalence of abnormal voltage conditions.

25. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main sections, a switchadjacent each end of each main line section for normally maintaining thecontinuity of the system through the main line sections,electro-magnetic means controlling each switch and in turn controlled bythe respective main line section for maintaining the switch in activeposition to include the main line section in the circuit during theprevalence of normal voltage conditions, said switch being movable tocut out the respective main line section and cut in the companionauxiliary section, and a normally inactive cut out means for one of theswitches, said last named means being responsive to abnormal voltageconditions.

26. In a system of electrical distribution, main line sections,companion auxiliary sections individual to the main sections, the mainsections and auxiliary sections having adjacent terminals at each end, aswitch at the corresponding ends of each main and companion section forcoupling one or the other section electrically into the system,electro-magnetic means for normally maintaining the switch in positionto couple the main section into the system, a transformer for eachswitch operating means fed by the main line section, another switchincluded in the circuit of the electro-magnetic actuating means for oneof the switches, actuating means for the second named switch havingelectric connections with the transformer controlling said switch,another transformer having one coil included in the circuit of theactuating means of the second named switch and having its other coilprovided with circuit terminals in the path of one of the first namedswitches controlled by the second named switch, and electric connectionsbe tween an intermediate point of the second named coil of the lastnamed transformer and that coil of the first named transformer feddirectly by the main section, the first named switches being related tothe circuit terminals controlled thereby to couple up the auxiliarysection prior to the uncoupling of the main section, and all theswitches having means for causing sluggish movement In testimony, that Iclaim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in thepresence of two witnesses.

FAIRBANKS C. HIRDLER.

IVitnesses ALTEI: H. IVARE, LAWRENCE T. BERGER,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of latents,

Washington, D. G.

